New galleries and renovations 2003

Apollo, Dec, 2003

NATIONAL PORTRAIT GALLERY

The new top-floor galleries at the National Portrait Gallery housing The Regency opened to great acclaim in May, heralding the completion of the comprehensive 10-year refurbishment of the institution in its entirety that began in 1993. Redesigned and modernised by Piers Gough of CZWG Architects, this final 1.2 million [pounds sterling] project was realised thanks to a benevolent grant of 367,500 [pounds sterling] from the Heritage Lottery Fund and some extremely generous private donations; the galleries themselves take their names from Jane and Anthony Weldon, two of the most notable donors. Last refurbished in 1986, the four Weldon galleries have been vastly improved upon both aesthetically and ergonomically. The beautiful original oak floors and black Belgian marble door casements, skirtings and borders have all happily been restored, and new windows installed. The ambience is stylish and impressive, enhancing the original Art Deco architecture with a nod toward the Brighton Pavilion, one of the inspirations behind the design. The galleries cover an interesting and colourful aspect of British history spanning from the beginning of the French Revolution to the passing of the Great Reform Act in 1832. More than 130 works are hung thematically according to historical context: drawings, pastels and miniatures, many of which were previously consigned to storage due to their fragility, can now be seen alongside paintings and sculptures, thanks to specially developed light-sensitive cases.

ROYAL SCOTTISH ACADEMY, NATIONAL GALLERIES OF SCOTLAND, EDINBURGH

The stunning refurbishment of the Royal Scottish Academy, which reopened in August with a spectacular exhibition 'Monet: The Seine and the Sea, 1878-1883', marks the completion of Phase 1 of the ambitious 29 [pounds sterling] million Playfair Project, the five-year 'scheme' to restore the RSA and link it to the National Gallery of Scotland. The Academy, which occupies the majestic Playfair building on The Mound, was designed by William Henry Playfair and opened in 1856. Six years later it was enlarged and remodelled, but no further work had been undertaken since 1910. The second phase of the project, due for completion in 2005, will house new visitor facilities in an underground link that will connect the RSA with the Scottish National Gallery. Work began in 1999 by the award-winning architects John Miller and Partners and the building has received a complete facelift inside and out. The interior has been vastly improved by the installation of air conditioning, high-quality lighting, and temperature and humidity controls. The beautiful exterior stone-work of the building has also been painstakingly cleaned and repaired. 1500 square metres of space housed in eleven galleries, including a new 'Cruciform Gallery' at the lower level, will facilitate the staging of regular large-scale international exhibitions such as the Monet show, thus increasing Edinburgh's international reputation as a venue to be reckoned with.

HAYWARD GALLERY

Following a 1.8 million [pounds sterling] extension to its foyer, the Hayward Gallery reopened to the public on 23 October after a nine month closure. The American artist, Dan Graham, and Graham Haworth of British architects Haworth Tompkins collaborated on its striking design, the centrepiece of which is the distinctive pavilion Waterloo sunset at the Hayward Gallery, a remarkable elliptical structure made of mirrored glass that houses touch-screens and artists' videos. The gallery can also now offer a new cafe, improved wheelchair access, and automated doors that welcome visitors into an altogether more inviting entrance.

LONGSIDE GALLERY, YORKSHIRE SCULPTURE PARK, NEAR WAKEFIELD

In June, this newly refurbished gallery at the Yorkshire Sculpture Park became the new home of sculpture from the Arts Council Collection. Managed by the Hayward Gallery, this body of work comprises the largest loan collection of modern and contemporary art in the world. Its relocation is an excellent move, as it will facilitate the lending of more sculpture to galleries and museums across the country, essentially providing more people with access to this prestigious collection. The Longside gallery represents a new partnership between the Yorkshire Sculpture Park and the Hayward Gallery. Designed by Tony Fretton Architects, it was funded by the Arts Council England with support from The Henry Moore Foundation.

ROYAL ACADEMY OF ARTS

A spectacular exhibition devoted to world famous fashion designer Giorgio Armani celebrates the opening of the new Royal Academy building at 6 Burlington Gardens. It was acquired by the 14 for 5 million [pounds sterling] in January 2001, and has since been transformed into a stylish, contemporary art space. Formerly home to the British Museum's Museum of Mankind, the building now possesses a large entertaining room, a ticket office and cloakroom, and a new and improved cafe and shop. Although the long-term future of Burlington Gardens is still being considered, the Royal Academy plan to make good use of this space, ideally situated directly behind the RA at Burlington House. 'Giorgio Armani: A retrospective' runs until 15 February 2004.